VIDEO

[shootwithmymind]

[The viewer is greeted with a pair of huge, gold-rimmed eyes peering at them from behind a longish snout that is currently sniffing delicately at the screen. A moment later a young boy with blue eyes and shaggy blond hair desperately in need of a trim leans down over the golden-eyed creature, an almost identical expression of curiousity on his face.]

I think I've got this thing working. Guess we'll find out, huh?
[The boy clears his throat self-consciously before continuing.]

If anyone else is listening... Um. Hi. My name's Jake Chambers, and this is Oy--say hi, Oy.

[The strange, gold-eyed creature again sniffs at the screen before barking out.] I! Oy!

[The boy giggles and shakes his head.] Smartass.

[Oy grins--there's no other word for it.] Ass!

[Jake smiles again, but it quickly fades.] Is anyone else out there? I...um...I'm guessing this isn't the Clearing, after all, 'cause if it is, then somebody really needs to come up with a better name. [Another short laugh, slightly tinged with hysteria.] Anyway. If this isn't the Clearing, then could someone please tell me where we wound up this time? [He pauses, chewing thoughtfully at his lower lip for a moment before adding] I woke up on a--a spaceship, I think. I can see what looks like a village down at the foot of the mountain. Is there anybody down there?

Comments

[redhat]

Hey, that'll be better than the help Numbuh Five's got now. You'll do fine, if you want to come help.

[She smiles and keeps scratching the little critter.]

Hey, there's this one guy, he's got two of these big... cat lizard things. In town, if you can imagine. Numbuh Five don't think this critter's gonna cause any trouble, baby.

[video]

[shootwithmymind]

[He's a little amused at that] Well, I didn't have a whole lot of choice, but if it makes you feel better, I think someone's coming out to meet me.

[Another kid his age, but he sees no reason to mention that.]

[video]

[girlworthfighting]

[Bluntly:] Good.

I take it after that you'll be going to the village?

[shootwithmymind]

Yeah, I'll help--just wanted to let you know I'm pretty much unskilled labor.

[Oy flops over on his side, begging for a belly rub.]

Big...cat lizards... Okay, I guess Oy won't attract much attention compared to that.

So, are we ready to go, then?

[shootwithmymind]

[Jake and Oy both ignore the fuss. Oy is better behaved than a lot of people, so as far as Jake's concerned, the hospital staff can just deal with it. After a bit of poking around, he locates the kitchen and the young woman he spoke with earlier. As he enters the room, he returns her smile.]

Hello...um...[belatedly, he realizes that he never got her name, so settles for,] Miss.

[He nods in the direction of the bottles.] Is that the stuff you wanted help with?

[redhat]

Aw, you can't be worse than Numbuh Four. And he's had trainin'.

[Abby kneels so she can give Oy a proper belly rub now. He was kinda like a dog. She approved.]

Well, we kinda accidentally killed their mama, so I guess he felt guilty or somethin'. But still, steer clear of those things. They're gonna wind up eatin' somebody.

Yeah, come on. Town's just down this road.

[video]

[shootwithmymind]

Yes ma'am, I think that's the plan.

[shootwithmymind]

Well, I'll try and stay out of reach, but I've gotta say, I'm kinda curious to see a couple of giant cat-lizards.

[Oy is definitely digging the belly rub. Jake laughs a little and shakes his head.] He'll lay there all day, as long as you keep doing that.

[He hitches his backpack up onto his shoulder and starts walking in the direction Abby indicated.] C'mon, Oy, let's get going.

[video]

[girlworthfighting]

There's a chance we may meet again later then, I suppose. Take care of yourself until then.

[Because she's allowed to worry, but damn if she's going to appoint herself caretaker for some kid unless she has to.]

My name is Mulan, by the way. And you really don't have to call me "ma'am".

[fotlenke]

[ Sigyn nods, walking over and bending down. She scratches Oy behind the ear, smiling. ] Aye, that they are. You are a very darling doggie, Oy. That is your name, [ She looks up to Jake. ] is it not?

[redhat]

Yeah, well, ask around for the froggy-lookin' teenager- [She says the word like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth] -who smells a bit funny. the little monsters are his project. Numbuh Five thinks she'll stick with the more civilized critters, like Oy here.

[Chuckling, she steps back and holds her hands up, letting the billy bumbler know that petting time was over.]

Common, Numbuh Five will point out her treehouse on the way, in case y'all want to stop by.